Medically reviewed by Alan Lucks | MD, Alan Lucks MDPC Private Practice - New York on January 30th, 2024.
The inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) provides 99% effective immunity after completing the standard four-dose series at 2, 4, 6-18 months, and 4-6 years of age.
Wild poliovirus has been eliminated from all countries except Afghanistan and Pakistan as of 2024, making routine adult vaccination unnecessary for most Americans.
Adults require only three IPV doses spaced 1-2 months apart for the first two, then 6-12 months for the final dose—compared to four doses in childhood.
Side effects are limited to mild injection site reactions in less than 50% of recipients; serious allergic reactions occur in fewer than 1 in a million doses.
Contraindications include severe allergies to previous polio vaccines or the antibiotics streptomycin, polymyxin B, or neomycin used in vaccine production.
Polio, a highly infectious disease caused by a virus, was once the leading cause of disability in the United States. Thanks to the introduction of the polio vaccine in 1955, the disease has been eradicated in the U.S. However, polio still remains a threat in some developing countries, and until it is eradicated worldwide, the risk of it spreading to the U.S. persists. This is why polio vaccination continues to be one of the recommended childhood immunizations.
Since 2000, the U.S. has been using the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), which is made from an inactive form of the poliovirus that cannot cause polio. The IPV is given as a shot in the arm or leg and may be administered simultaneously with other vaccinations.
Children should receive four doses of IPV at the following ages:
2 months
4 months
6-18 months
4-6 years (booster dose)
Most adults do not need routine polio vaccination as they were likely vaccinated during childhood. However, three groups of adults at higher risk for exposure to the poliovirus should consider vaccination:
Travelers to areas where polio is still common
Laboratory workers handling specimens that might contain polioviruses
Health care workers in close contact with potential poliovirus-infected individuals
Adults who have never been vaccinated against polio should receive three doses of IPV:
The first dose at any time
The second dose 1 to 2 months later
The third dose 6 to 12 months after the second
Those who have received one or two doses in the past should complete the remaining doses, regardless of the time elapsed since the previous dose(s).
You should not receive the polio vaccine if you have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or to the antibiotics streptomycin, polymyxin B, or neomycin. Pregnant women should avoid the vaccine if possible, but those at high risk should consult their doctors about receiving IPV. People who are moderately or severely ill should wait until they have recovered before getting the vaccine.
The polio vaccine is generally very safe, with most people experiencing no side effects at all. Some may develop a sore, red spot at the injection site. Although the risk of serious harm from the vaccine is extremely small, like any medicine, it could potentially cause severe allergic reactions. If you have any concerns, consult your healthcare provider.
By ensuring your child receives the recommended doses of the polio vaccine, you are protecting them against a potentially life-altering disease. If you have any questions or concerns about the polio vaccination, do not hesitate to discuss them with your pediatrician or family doctor. Together, we can work towards a world free from the threat of polio.
This highly effective childhood vaccine has nearly eradicated polio worldwide, with most adults only needing vaccination before traveling to endemic regions or working in high-risk healthcare settings. The four-dose childhood schedule provides lifelong protection for the vast majority of people. If you're unsure about your vaccination status before international travel or have concerns about timing, Doctronic can help clarify your needs quickly.
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